Historical Traveler Reviews Helix, a Kimpton Hotel Washington DC

Loved the Helix

from anonymous

Went to the Hotel Helix on a recommendation from a co-worker and was so glad I did!! Planned a much-deserved "girls' weekend in DC" with friends I hadn't seen in awhile. We loved the rooms, the decor, the staff, the bar - all of it. The feeling is very "Austin Powers meets the Brady Bunch." The rooms are decorated in super bright technicolor designs - but it is a soothing and fun atmosphere, not tacky. Would recommend this to anyone who can appreciate something a little different. The best part is that they allow pets...and my dog loved the place too! The room had a lot of extras like CD player, super stocked mini-bar (with a lot of unusual items) super comfy beds and a lot of really nice touches. I will stay here again - maybe after I check out some of the other Kimpton Properties (Rouge, Topaz, Monaco, etc). The staff was very friendly and helpful but valet parking was a little steep ($20+) If I'd been smart, I would have looked for on-street parking.

If teenagers ran hotels...the Helix would be their jumping off point.

from anonymous

Never should have checked in. Booked 7 nights at the Helix for a hip but relaxing vacation. After entering through the automated curtains, I stood for at least 5 minutes at a "pod" in an empty lobby awaiting the attention of the distracted desk clerk. Registration from the previous guest remained on the counter reflecting their personal info (including credit card number) and rate as well as the $50 surcharge for "checking out early" that I later had to sign. Helix site advertised "plush robes" and in-room safes, which were not in my room at all. Room Service, which is only available 5-10pm, was delivered in plastic to-go container with plastic cutlery in a plastic bag..and the order was wrong. Mini-bar was all sugar, wasn't stocked daily, and they tried to charge me for things I didn't use because of it. Housekeeping missed several areas a day...dirty coffee maker, glass rings on night stand, dirty glasses not replaced, dust on shelves. Having to daily move 2 paperclips on 2 cards to signify if I wanted my linens changed got very old. After 3 complaints to the front desk and management over 3 days, I was promised coupons for their (not complimentary) continental breakfast, which never got sent "right up" as promised; had to ask the next day and the desk clerk quetioned that I should even get them.

Apples were cheap and selection was depleted when I went 5 minutes before they closed it down. I chose to toss the remaining free coupons and pay for a decent breakfast elsewhere (the closest is several blocks away.) Upon check-out, I struggled to get my bill corrected for the mini-bar and again there lay a previous guest's registration card...reflecting a rate $25 less than mine for the same room type.

I honestly felt irresponsible teenagers were running the place. Service is not in their vocabulary. I should have paid the penalty for cancelling day of, and relocated to the closest Super 8. My stay would have been more enjoyable, I would have had great service and I would have paid much less! Yes, the rooms are pretty both on-line and in person, but the rest of the Helix leaves a whole lot to be desired. The Metro is a 5-block hike away as well. By the way, an article in the Washington Post they delivered to my door had an article on that neighborhood's "recent renovations." Seems the area was not long ago frequented by drug dealers and prostitutes. Don't venture to 14th Street, because that's where they relocated to.

This was great!

from anonymous

My husband and I spend 2 nights at the Hotel Helix in Sept 2003. What a great hotel! A curtain opens automatically as you enter and we were offered a glass of free champagne on arrival.

The room was huge and L shaped with voile curtains sectioning off the cosy bed area. The furry bed spread was very luxurious! The bright colours really work with the more subtle shades and a great deal of thought has gone into the little details to make this hotel special.

Different fabrics and textures are used well throughout.

The first night we ate in the bar/lounge area and the food was good. We sat on stools which lit up when you sat on them! It's mad you will love it!!!

Very Retro, Colorful !!! we loved it

from anonymous

This place reminded my wife and myself of something from the 60's or the 70's era. Wide array of colors throughout the hotel & the rooms.

Very reasonably priced for all the amenities (included the nicely stocked mini-bar in the room!!) and the staff was "stand-alone" in customer service. I would recommend this to anyone traveling to D.C.

-I know I'll stay there again!!

What a Great Atmosphere

from anonymous

We had such a great time here. The room ws so different and interesting. Also the people were extremely helpful and polite. The Helix Lounge had delicious drinks and fun atmosphere. Parking was a bit steep though ($22/night). Highly recommend.

It was Fabu

from anonymous

It was great...I loved the decor, and the fact that there was a CD player in the room. Everything from the bed, to the bathroom was a sight to see. I also saw the inside of the Rouge Hotel, and it was just as great. Very low key, and reasonable. I highly recommend Hotel Helix or any of the other hotels...The Rouge, Topaz, Monaco...

Wax lips in the mini bar!

from anonymous

Picked this hotel by a photo on the net- it was fabulous! From the spotlighted curtains swishing open for each guest to the faux fur satin throw on the platform bed, it was all a delightful surprise. Even the continental breakfast muffins were superior. Go for the adventure, come again for the comfort. And by the way- room service offers delicious contemporary comfort food.

Want different? STAY HERE!!!!!!

from anonymous

I Love this place. I got bumped from another hotel to here and I am so glad it happened. If you want to stay somewhere different...this is the place. It is fun, the staff have been friendly and great to talk to.

The rooms are so much more different then anywhere else I have ever stayed (I travel alot for business). The rooms have a lot of space and are laid out to maximize it. A lot of little touches that you dont find at other hotels. Rates are 120+ a nite...well worth it. 6 dollar ride to cnvention center and CT Ave. It is a little off the main area but only by a few blocks. Its worth staying here.

Nice rooms

from anonymous

The room was nice, and the location was not too bad, though there are not many restaurants in the immediate area. Stay away from the honor bar and the bar downstairs because everything is wildly overpriced--way more than the usual hotel markup.

Fun, service still evolving

from anonymous

We stayed at the Helix when it opened in fall 2002. Room was stylish, comfortable & very affordable - but service was clearly still being refined. Overall, though, a fun place to stay in a great location. Planning to return on our next DC stay, and hoping the service will have improved.

TripAdvisor Reviews Helix, a Kimpton Hotel Washington DC

Excellent

Travel Blogs from Washington DC

... an exxxxxxxremely rude woman at the train station however I am a firm believer in karma so that ***** will get it in the neck at some point. Getting off the train at Penn was ok but once we got upstairs, the **** fight began. So the process is that everyone stands around watching a giant board with trains listed but no track number. Then 10 - 15 minutes before the train is due to depart, they post the platform & everyone goes nuts & heads for a single escalator. ...

... get our bearings and see the monuments and the city in a really amazing way. Thanks to the new camera the photos should show these up well.

Monday 27/10/14

Bagels and coffee for breakfast, then on foot for a full day of monuments and musuems. There’s not really words to convey the magnitude of the Presidential Monuments. Each skillfully constructed from marble and stone over years costing millions of dollars, these ...

... centre, with the Lincoln memorial in the West running to the Capitol building in the East, with the Washington Monument in the middle, and north from here leads to the White House. Also, between the Washington monument and the Capitol is a huge collection of National Museums owned and operated by the Smithsonian. Usually, we've ignored museums everywhere we've been, but these are all FREE! Good job we had two days then.

... salad! The group after eating decided to stay at the restaurants bar to have a few drinks and get to know each other a little better, this soon turned into a contest for me and Jess against Ella and michelle (although they didn't know) about who could mingle with the most people and get to know them. It turned into such a good night we were all drinking, most of us mingling we got to know pretty much everyones name and had a bit of fun and loosened up abit more.